COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions

Source: CDC (Centers for Disease Control) and the World Health Organization

Cleaning and Disinfection for

Non-emergency Transport Vehicles

and Wearing Eye Protection

It is vitally important that we continue to take measures to keep our team safe during this COVID-19 pandemic. One of the primary actions you, your staff, and drivers should practice is consistently cleaning and disinfecting your non-emergency transport vehicles. Also important is wearing proper personal protective equipment and regularly practicing hand hygiene.

Please click the image to the right to review.

What is a novel Coronavirus?

A novel coronavirus is a new coronavirus that has not been previously identified. The virus causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is not the same as the coronaviruses that commonly circulate among humans and cause mild illness, like the common cold.

A diagnosis with coronavirus 229E, NL63, OC43, or HKU1 is not the same as a COVID-19 diagnosis. Patients with COVID-19 will be evaluated and cared for differently than patients with common coronavirus diagnosis.

What is the source of the virus?

COVID-19 is caused by a coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in people and may different species of animals, including camels, cattle, cats, and bats. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can infect people and then spread between people. This occurred with MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV, and now with the virus that causes COVID-19. More information about the source and spread of COVID-19 is available on the Situation Summary: Source and Spread of the Virus.

How can I protect myself?

What steps can my family take to reduce our risk of getting COVID-19?

Practice everyday preventive actions to help reduce your risk of getting sick and remind everyone in your home to do the same. These actions are especially important for older adults and people who have severe chronic medical conditions:

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.

Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue and throw the tissue in the trash.

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.

If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

Launder items, including washable plush toys, as appropriate and in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. If possible, launder items using the warmest appropriate water setting for the items and dry items completely. Dirty laundry from an ill person can be washed with other people’s items.

What are the symptoms and complications COVID-19 can cause?

Current symptoms reported for patients with COVID-19 have included mild to severe respiratory illness with fever1, cough, and difficulty breathing. Read about COVID-19 Symptoms.

Should I be tested for COVID-19?

Not everyone needs to be tested for COVID-19. For information about testing, see Testing for COVID-19.

Attention All Providers

As part of the Corona Virus Relief Package passed by congress and signed by the president the SBA Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) that authorizes up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses to pay their employees during the COVID-19 crisis will start tomorrow (4/3/2020).

Please click the image to the right to review the document for information on the program and how to apply.

As always, thank you for all you do.

New Grants and Relief Information for Providers

The Transportation Alliance and Matthew Daus, chairman of the Windels Marx Transportation Group and president of the International Association of Transportation Regulators, have graciously allowed us to share the PowerPoint that accompanied Matthew’s presentation on the Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

Please click the image to the right to review.

SBA Paycheck Protection Program Information

As part of the Corona Virus Relief Package passed by congress and signed by the president the SBA Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) that authorizes up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses to pay their employees during the COVID-19 crisis will start tomorrow (4/3/2020). Please review the document (by clicking the image to the right) for information on the program and how to apply.

Essential Services Documentation

Most states have or will issue orders or recommendations for people to shelter in place, remain at home or other similar terms. Many providers have requested a letter explaining the nature and purpose of their essential services. To assist with this please provide the attached document to your employees, drivers, and vehicles.

Please click the image to the right to review.

SBA Disaster Loans

Small Businesses (for-profit and non-profit) seeking SBA Disaster Loans will be able to apply online through the SBA Disaster Assistance website: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance . These loans have a $2MM maximum and carry a low interest rate (3.75% for for-profit businesses and 2.75% for non-profits) and have long 30-year amortizations. Read More

Social Distancing

Please view a message about Social Distancing. What is Social Distancing? As defined by the Centers for Disease Control…

Social distancing, also called “physical distancing,” means keeping space between yourself and other people outside of your home. To practice social or physical distancing:

Stay at least 6 feet (2 meters) from other people

Do not gather in groups

Stay out of crowded places and avoid mass gatherings

Video courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

How to Make Your own Face Covering

If you need to make a face covering, here is a quick do-it-yourself video that shows you how to use items from around your house. Surgeon General, Dr. Jerome Adams demonstrates in a few easy steps.Video courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Hand washing technique – Video

It is vitally important that we continue to take measures to keep our team safe during this COVID-19 pandemic. One of the primary actions you, your staff and drivers should practice is consistently washing your hands to eliminate contamination.

To the right is a link to an explainer video that shows the proper way to thoroughly wash your hands.

Video courtesy of The John Hopkins Hospital Department of Hospital Epidemiology and Infection Control (HEIC) using the WHO technique (World Health Organization).

Your Well-Being Is Our Top Priority

Coronavirus/COVID19: Preventative Actions We Can All Take

Southeastrans understands that reducing a potential threat to employees, transportation providers, drivers, and members posed by the coronavirus (COVID-19), depends upon taking proactive steps to prepare. Here are a few simple, preventative actions we can all take to reduce the spread of the virus.

Wash hands with soap and water (for at least 20 seconds) or hand sanitizer containing 70% or more alcohol.

Cover coughs/sneezes with a bent elbow or tissue and immediately dispose of the tissue.

Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Stay home when sick with respiratory symptoms, except to get medical care.

Reduce the frequency, proximity, and duration of contact between people.

Because transportation providers and drivers have direct physical contact with members, it is critical and required that they observe these personal hygiene directives at all times. They are also required to clean and disinfect all vehicle services with an EPA approved disinfectant after each shift.

Call Center Services

Our call centers are critical for ongoing service to members but also may be impacted by increased numbers of employee absences due to illness in employees, their family members, and school closings. However, we are prepared with a number of options to assure that a member’s ability to schedule necessary trips is not significantly impacted. Through deploying supplemental staff to take calls, routing calls among our five call centers, and utilizing our remote work capabilities we will minimize service delays.

Members are encouraged to schedule their trips through our easy to use Member Portal. It is a quick and secure way to schedule trips without needing to access a call center.

Likewise, healthcare facilities are encouraged to use the Facility Portal to quickly address scheduling and trip management needs.

Transportation Service

The same risks faced by the general population and our employees may also impact our transportation providers and their drivers. Should this occur, Southeastrans will work with each client/plan to assure the availability of transportation for the most essential member needs (dialysis, chemotherapy, urgent care, etc.)

Communication

Communication to members is essential and Southeastrans will work with each client/plan to initiate member notifications regarding the NEMT transportation program. We are also poised to partner with local, state, and federal emergency-response and health agencies to coordinate efforts to maintain safety and security in and outside the workplace.

Clients needing access to our full Corporate Pandemic Response Plan may reach out to their Southeastrans State Director for assistance.

COVID-19 Information

For timely and accurate information and guidance on the COVID-19 situation, Southeastrans will rely on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Facts about the virus, how you can protect yourself, and what to do if you are sick can be found at: https://www.cdc.gov/.